rough winds do shake the darling buds of may | open, with starters

[wrathfulkhan]

Characters: Eyebrow Squad Gene, Jackie, Deon, and you!
Date: Throughout May
Location: Keeliai and the rest of the shell
Situation: General May drama and doings for Eyebrow Squad.
Warnings/Rating: None initially, but subject to change.

A. [Gene] Midnight Hotel | May 2 | closed to Tony

Gene hadn't taken the disappearance of the new influx of Foreigners well. But he'd taken it better than he'd expected; he'd always known, in his heart, that Bianca being back had been too good to be true. And Amelia hadn't returned, either. He'd been seized with a rather unusual and rather unfortunate sensation of missing all his friends who'd come and gone from Keeliai.

And it occurs to him that Tony might be feeling even worse. Howard had been swept away too. Gene hadn't been particularly heartbroken to see him gone - he still isn't too sure where he stands with the man - but he knows Tony's devastated by it. So he's tried to be as supportive as possible. He doesn't like seeing Tony upset.

B. [Gene] Sky Sector | early-mid May | open

Gene's been going around the Sky Sector and helping finalize some of the construction, making himself known among the kedan in the area, checking out the stalls in the artisan area. Sometimes he's putting the finishing touches on the little house he'd built for himself and Tony, and if he's not actively using tools - or secretly using the orange ring to manipulate matter, honing his control of it - he's probably open to talking.

C. [Jackie] Teahouse in the Water Sector | early-mid May | open

When he's not doing Snake stuff, Jackie's become quite fond of hanging out in a little teahouse in the Water Sector. Most of the time he has his Snake badge off, not wanting to intimidate any of the kedan, and just enjoying a quiet cup of tea. Tea had never really been his...well...his cup of tea, back home, but here he was starting to enjoy it.

D. [Deon] Metal Sector | early-mid May | open

Deon, meanwhile, is scouting out any technology he can find, buying up scrap wherever he can find it and writing out code by hand in a cheap notebook. Even if he can't test it, it's at least a decent exercise.

He's been dissuaded from dismantling a console - but he really wants to know how they work. Not worth pissing off the kedan, though; he's heard they don't take well to that.

But it looks like he knows what he's doing, or at least what he's after, either sitting on a bench and going over his handwritten code, the end of a pen in his mouth, or haggling with some kedan over some busted piece of looted Foreigner tech.

E. [Deon] Fire Sector | May 16 | closed to Shay

Deon's tired, and in need of a drink. He doesn't normally drink, but he's interested in seeing more of the kedan culture, and he figures that's worth the price of a beer or the local equivalent. Thus he sits at the bar, drinking an oddly sweet concoction that still has a mildly alcoholic fire to it, occasionally writing in his notebook as more ideas occur to him.


F. [Gene] House Iron Dragon | May 8 | closed to Tony

Tony's been acting weird the past day or so - more cagey than usual. Something's up, but Gene hasn't deduced what yet.

"You okay?" he asks, setting a mug of tea down in front of Tony, some concern in his voice. Still mopey over Howard, perhaps? The grief happens in waves, he knows that well.

G. [Deon] Stark Industries | late April | closed to NPCs

The staff at Stark Industries has been busy of late, but not too busy to finally see Deon for a job interview. He hasn't had one since college, so he's a little apprehensive, and visibly fidgeting.

H. [Deon] Wood Sector | mid-May | closed to China and Shay

Deon should really know better than to cut through gang territory by now. As it is, he's been cornered by some kedan from a smaller gang who are pushing him around and demanding his juulan. For someone so tall, he's a bit shit at defending himself or being at all imposing.

I. [Gene] Sky Sector / Earth Sector | early May 9 | closed to Skul

Once Gene manages to get his heart down from pounding like hell in his head, he grabs his radio and makes a call to Skul, like he'd promised Tony.

"Skul? I know it's late, but I need your help."

---

OOC Note: If you want another starter, please hit me up over at Chatvert and I'll pull something together for you! :>

Comments

[inkulcation]

This sparks a laugh. A little one, but genuinely amused. "Outnumbered and out-armed, and you still find the wherewithal to insult your attackers?" She sounds almost like she approves of it, as foolish as it is. It doesn't speak to his sense of self-preservation, really, but it does tell her what kind of person he is.

Well. As long as China has a Foreigner she doesn't know to hand, she might as well see if he has the potential to be useful. She tips her head, indicating the street proper. "Where do you live?" she asks, solicitous, as if she intends to walk him back. And, a moment later, "I wouldn't be surprised if they're interested in reprisals."

[craftlife]

Deon actually blushes a bit - well, now he just feels stupid. "I've been told I talk before I think," he says by way of explanation, but at least she seems more approving of his pigheadedness, so he feels a little less self-conscious than he did before.

Good point, China. Deon had absolutely considered that he'd accidentally made enemies in the smaller gangs. It keeps happening. "I'm at the Hotel, still," he says. As long as he can afford to stay there, why not? Maybe he'll move to the Sky Sector eventually, once he's got more projects on his makeshift workbench than he can handle.

[inkulcation]

There are worse character traits. This one in particular has beneficial side effects, as long as it doesn't get him killed.

"Ah," she says. "The Hotel." She hides the generally attached distaste beneath another smile, gestures that he should follow her, and turns her steps toward the Wood sector entrance. "The wards there are... solid, at least, and Shudder's an effective deterrent. Even if they track you, you'll be safe there."

[craftlife]

Yeah, 'bout that.

Deon follows her like a puppy. A 6'2" puppy. "What do you mean by wards?" he asks, interested. "I thought the place was neutral ground just because of Anton." There's something about the proprietor that makes Deon not want to cross him.

[inkulcation]

"It's true that it's a losing proposition to cross Shudder," China says, nonchalantly. "But that's only part of it. Otherwise, all that would be necessary is to get him out of sight for a little while." File under: things China definitely considered for about three seconds. "No, he has an array of wards in place within the Hotel."

She gives Deon a sidelong look, more thoughtful than speculative now that they're on to one of her favorite topics. He's asking about what wards are, rather than details of Shudder's setup, isn't he. That places him firmly on the mortal and perhaps scientific side of the spectrum. "Guards," she says finally. "Magical systems to help deter hostility, or to warn him about things happening within the building."

[craftlife]

Definitely mortal, and definitely scientific.

"Magical systems?" Normally he'd be a bit more skeptical about the whole 'magic' thing, but it's to the magic of Raine and Aqua that he owes his life, so he's decided to just roll with it.

"How do they work? You said they deter hostility and can warn him; are they tied to him? Do they work like alarms that are triggered when someone starts a fight?"

Slow down there, Comrade Question.

[inkulcation]

She allows him a moment to decide whether or not magic is real before proceeding. "They're based in the language of magic," she says. "It's not an uncommon use. And I doubt they're tied directly to Shudder himself." That would require tattoos. China amuses herself for a moment or two, envisioning Shudder with magical tattoos. It doesn't fit what she knows of the man, but she'll concede that she's been surprised before. "Something he carries, more than likely, which is triggered when one of the alarm wards' conditions are met. He keeps the details concealed."

And that is annoying. Understandable, as she does exactly the same, but nevertheless irritating.

[craftlife]

Magic's real! Magic's totally real. He's not going to dismiss evidential proof.

But China has definitely grabbed his attention and held it (more than her usual wont) by mentioning a language of magic.

"Magic has a language? Like any language, I'm guessing it has rules. Would it be similar to, ah, to computer code? BASIC, Fortran, Python?"

It cannot be worse than coding in Java.

[inkulcation]

China may know about computers, but coding is a comparison she hasn't really made before, and it earns Deon a brief pause in her footsteps as she looks over, considering.

"It's a symbolic language," she says when she resumes her initial even pace. "Primarily conceptual, rather than verbal, and it has no vocal component. Sigils are chained together in specific arrangements, often using intermediary symbols to ensure the intended direction or meaning, and those shapes channel magic into a desired effect." Usually a desired effect, at any rate, unless someone has gotten something a millimetre or two wrong.

in which alex outs herself as ancient 4chan trash

[craftlife]

Is it anything like machine code, China?

Yay! She's looking at him!

Oh, how he wishes he could take notes, and is mentally trying to keep all of this in his head without forgetting. But symbolic language? You are, pardon the pun, speaking his language. "It sounds like Lisp, or Prolog," he says, half to himself. Given that those are languages used to code AI, he is very familiar with the concept of a symbolic language.

"That's fascinating. Is it just...is it you tell the universe what to do, and it does it? Do you know how to make sigils? Can you teach me?"

BECAUSE HOW COOL IS THAT?!

[inkulcation]

"Perhaps," China allows, which is code for she's really not sure but is definitely not going to show it. Computer programming is not her forte. World programming, so to speak, is. "That's essentially what it is, yes. Phrase it in terms the universe, the magic understands, and the directive is fulfilled." A pause, wherein she smiles at Deon. He can't know that he's essentially just asked if the sun is bright. "Yes, I've been studying the language since I was quite young. And yes, I can teach you. However, true mastery takes more time than you have available, and I am not inclined to offer something for nothing."

[craftlife]

Sun so bright. Bright bright sun.

Deon would computer-words at her all day if he thought it would impress her. Partly because of China's magic influence, and also partly because he loves what he does and never passes up the opportunity to gush about it.

And now...now he has a new project. How could he ever go back to waiting for code to compile now that he knows that sigils exist?

True mastery takes more time than he has available, eh? Just try him. "I'm afraid I don't have much juulan to offer," he says apologetically. Nor much else. Don't ask him to cook, his culinary experience is limited to pot noodle. But he really wants to learn this cool new thing!

[inkulcation]

Hundreds of years, Deon. Hundreds. With an inbuilt magical affinity.

"I'm sure a trade can be arranged," China says, which many people who know her would take as a warning sign. Especially when combined with that speculative tone. He's a scientist, and halfway to a puppy; of course he's eager to learn, and that provides leverage. "You live at the Hotel still, after all, and I don't have cause to visit much. An eye on that which happens there would be useful to me."

[craftlife]

He's a quick study. But maybe not that quick.

He blinks at her. "What do you mean? Like, if anyone tries to make trouble, who's moving in and out, that sort of thing?"

Easy enough to provide, right?

[inkulcation]

At least he takes her meaning on this front. "Exactly," she says. Pleased. She favors him with another smile for being able to keep up that far. "Unusual visitors, or troublemakers. Newcomers. Anything Master Shudder takes particular note of. I'd appreciate it very much."

She's laying it on a little thick now, but it's true. The Hotel is annoyingly opaque right now. "And in return, I'll teach you whatever you can learn."

[craftlife]

Deon is very nearly without guile. So of course he takes it on his face! This nice lady wouldn't lie to him, right? Oh you sweet summer child.

"Okay, sure, yes, I can do that," he says, and pushes his glasses up. Definitely a good deal for learning the source code of the universe!

[inkulcation]

"Wonderful," China says, and her smile turns outright dazzling. "I have premises in the Fire sector--" And she gives him an address, one that's not very far off the beaten path, so to speak. "I'm there most afternoons. Come see me in a day or two, and I'll start you with the basics."

[craftlife]

Awwww yissss, that smile makes getting accosted by those kedan gangsters so worth it. What a fortunate meeting!

He nods, and repeats the address back to her to be sure he's got it right. "That's great. Thank you!"

[inkulcation]

It's hardly a matter of charity, but China nods in return anyway. "Of course," she says. "Until then."

She'll leave him near the entrance to the Hotel, trailing a little wave before she slips away.